Sugar Cookie Bars

We are trying to eat a little more healthy at home so I haven't really made anything sweet for the past couple of weeks.  I had the urge to make something sweet this weekend and I have been on a brownie/blondie/bar cookie kick lately so when I saw this recipe, I knew I had to make it.  I love sugar cookies.  Love them.  I particularly love them when they are still a little soft and chewy so making sugar cookie dough into a bar cookie was perfect for me.  I really liked the taste and texture of the cookie.  The icing was a little too sweet for me.  Next time I might top them with my cream cheese icing which I think would go really well with the bright lemon taste of the cookie.

Since this recipe makes about 48 cookie bars both of our offices will have sweet treats to snack on today!

Sugar Cookie Bars
Slightly adapted from Annie's Eats

Ingredients:
For the cookie bars:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
3 tsp. vanilla extract
Zest from 1 small lemon
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda

For the frosting:
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
5 tbsp. milk
Food coloring (optional)

Directions:
To make the cookies, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 13 x 18" rimmed baking sheet.  Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer.  Beat on medium-high speed until light and smooth, about 2 minutes.  Mix in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.  Blend in the vanilla and lemon zest.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt and baking soda.  Stir together with a fork to blend.  Add the dry ingredients to the mixer bowl and beat on low speed just until incorporated.

Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared baking sheet and press into an even layer.  Bake 10-15 minutes, until light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.  Transfer the pan to a wire rack and let cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, place the butter in the bowl of an electric mixer.  Beat on medium-high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.  Blend in the vanilla, salt and confectioners' sugar until smooth, 1-2 minutes.  Mix in the milk.  Tint as desired with the food coloring.  Spread over the cookie in the pan, cut into bars and serve.